Perspectives Spring 2015

Perspectives CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2015

DIGITALLY CONNECTED IB EXPLORES

EBOLA THREE REPEAT

CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ready to Learn Country Day READY

Contents 20

IB Students Explore

Ebola from All Angles

FEATURES

19 22 24 27

Rodney Pitts ’64 Continues to Make a Difference

Country Day Hosts First Middle School Model UN Conference

Learning in a Connected Society Nicole Stubbs ’03: Using Technology to Revolutionize Emerging Economies

DEPARTMENTS 3 Mark’s Message 4 News & Notes 14 Arts News 16 Buc Sports 28 Alumni Scrapbook 32 Class Notes

Perspectives EDITOR Lee-Anne Black CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Jonsie Evans ’95 CONTRIBUTORS Lisa Hernick Beth Lawing Natalie Pruett Abe Wehmiller PHOTOGRAPHY Lee-Anne Black Jonsie Evans Joe Hernick Lisa Hernick Beth Lawing Mary Beth Luxton Natalie Pruett Peter Zay

Our Mission

Through excellence in education, Charlotte Country Day School develops the potential of each student by fostering intellectual curiosity, principled character, ethical leadership, and a responsibility to serve.

Affirmation of Community

Charlotte Country Day School is committed to living as an authentic, inclusive community.

Our pursuit of this commitment to community recognizes and affirms the richness brought by difference and discovered through commonality.

For more information about our Mission, Key Values, and Affirmation of Community, please visit charlottecountryday.org/mission.

CONNECT WITH US WEB: charlottecountryday.org

DESIGN Windtree Studios/Robert Locklear Perspectives is published twice a year by the Marketing and Communications Office for alumni, parents, staff, and friends of Charlotte Country Day School. Please send questions, comments, or story ideas to lee-anne.black@charlottecountryday.org.

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Send requests to updates@charlottecountryday.org

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PERSPECTIVES

On the cover

Like all seventh graders, Cameron Grainger uses her school-issued iPad Air as an integral component to her classroom learning experience.

Photo credit: Peter Zay

Inside cover

Sophomores Caroline Funderburg and Georgie Exton take advantage of outdoor learning spaces on a beautiful fall day.

Mark’s Message School Leadership 2014–15 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS: Louis A. Bledsoe III ’77, Chair D. Ann Caulkins, Vice Chair Dr. Cheryl D. Courtlandt, Vice Chair Todd A. Gorelick ’82, Vice Chair Dr. James W. Roberts, Vice Chair Arthur C. Roselle, Vice Chair Gary R. Wolfe, Secretary-Treasurer

MEMBERS: Dr. Adelle Anthony-Williams David M. Benson ’85 Howard C. Bissell* Edison P. Cassels ’87 Theresa Drew Kenneth V. Garcia Dwight L. Hollier Dr. Ameesha P. Kansupada Kathleen Knox Krupa Leigh F. Moran James H. McLawhorn Amy Fonville Owen ’81 Mary Claudia Belk Pilon ’92 Walker L. Poole Steven L. Purdy ’87 Sally Cannon Saussy ’67* Laura A. Schulte Scott R. Stevens A. Wellford Tabor Ronald A. Veith William H. Zimmern ’95 Mark E. Reed (Ex-officio) *Life trustee

W

elcome to the new Perspectives magazine. The design and content reflect the feedback you provided in our readership survey last year, as well as the new visual identity introduced in August. As I’ve said before, the compelling Country Day story is as strong as ever, however, we are working hard to tell that story more consistently and with one voice.

As you read through the magazine, I hope you will gain tangible examples of how Country Day remains a strong, forward-thinking school that goes beyond exceptional academics to more completely prepare students for life. Whether exploring the ebola epidemic from every discipline, planning and participating in Model UN, or learning in a digitally connected society, Country Day students will be ready for future challenges and opportunities in college and beyond.

This magazine continues to be a key communication tool from the school to our alumni and their parents, our current families and employees, and our extended friends. Our survey showed that an overwhelming majority of readers feel proud of their association with Country Day as a result of reading about students and alumni success stories in Perspectives. Whether your connection to Country Day began more than 50 years ago or just this year, you are an important storyteller and ambassador.

You represent Country Day in the world, and I am extremely appreciative of the good news about our school that you share with others.

After reading this issue of Perspectives, I hope you are as proud as I am of all we are doing to fulfill our mission and be Country Day Ready.

Sincerely,

Mark Reed Head of School

2014–15 ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL Mark Reed, Head of School Matthew Less, Head of Upper School Warren Sepkowitz, Head of Middle School Clare Walton, Interim Head of Lower School Joe Hernick, Director of Educational Technology David Lynn, Director of International Studies Brian Wise, Director of Diversity Planning Abe Wehmiller, Director of Athletics Nancy Ehringhaus, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Lauren Batten, Director of Advancement David Mancos, Chief Financial Officer

Seniors Currie Engel and Sheppard Wilson, kindergartner Townes Barber, junior kindergartner Mary Rinehart, Nancy Ehringhaus, and Mark Reed gathered this fall to plant the oak sapling the Class of 2015 presented to our youngest students at the All-School Convocation in August.

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News & Notes

Student Reflections on a

Weekend in Georgia In mid-November, a group of Country Day students and faculty met with our 39th president Jimmy Carter. The two-day, 828-mile bus trip came about after the students participated in a Digital Town Hall meeting several weeks prior and expressed an interest in visiting the

“We had an early start in

Americus, Georgia, but we made the short drive over to Plains in time to be the first in line in front of Maranatha Baptist Church. Our first row seats inside rendered the wait in the cold morning air insignificant, and the entire experience was unforgettable.

To look President Carter right in the eyes and hear him speak in such an intimate setting…that is something few people can say they have done.” – Lili Zay

“Jimmy Carter’s speech

touched me most. He is as intelligent, sharp, humble, and genuine as I imagined. He pointed out the connection between love and truth, which I never thought about before.

And seeing where he was born reminded me of why I first came to America: No matter where you were born, you can always be anything you want because you live in the greatest nation in the world.” – Shelley Chen

Lili Zay responded to a question from President Carter.

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Carter Center in person. Director of International Studies David Lynn quickly arranged the field trip, which also included visits to the Coca-Cola Museum, Hard Rock Café, and Martin Luther King Jr. gravesite. Read what some of the students had to say:

“Humble but sharp, intelligent but funny, he reminded me of my own grandparents who care about their children and always give smart advice from their own experiences. He is constantly encouraging the next generation, making me believe deeper in myself as a student and a global citizen in the new era.” – Andy Gong

News & Notes

Adele Paynter Named Head of Lower School

24-YEAR SERVICE TRADITION

Students Serve Homeless Community

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n December 19, approximately 40 Upper School students returned to campus during their holiday break to host a luncheon for 150 homeless men, women, and children from the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte and The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte’s Center of Hope.

Since 1991, members of the Interact Club have welcomed homeless guests to our cafeteria for a warm meal. Students brought in baked goods, served lunch, waited tables, and entertained children. Special thanks to Aladdin Food Services for donating the food and to our cafeteria staff for donating their personal time to help cook and prepare the meal.

“The main purpose of our club is to give back to the community around us and interact with the people of our community,” said Interact Club President Forrest Hamil ’15, in a story published in South Charlotte Weekly.

“We get a lot out of [the luncheon event]. Obviously, the service part is giving something to a good cause, but also, our empathy level grows. I’ve been doing this for the past four years and have had conversations with [the people from the shelters]. A lot of these people are college graduates and very capable people, but because of a couple of unfortunate circumstances they are [homeless] today… we’ve learned that at any given time anyone can be homeless.”

“The main purpose of our club is to give back to the community around us and interact with the people of our community.”

Adele Paynter, who currently serves as the interim head of Sheridan School, in Washington, DC, will join Country Day July 1 as our next Head of Lower School.

“I am delighted that Adele has accepted my invitation to lead our Lower School as she brings a wide range of experience to the position,” said Head of School Mark Reed.

As a leader at Sheridan, a K–8 day school, Adele collaborated with trustees to develop a five-year strategic plan cycle, set annual priorities for staff development and academic programming, and was active in the admissions process.

As a passionate educator, Adele embraces Country Day’s mission and said, “The best schools see themselves as a place where children learn to live bravely and joyfully, a place where they learn how to learn, how to fail and how to succeed, and a place where they learn to look critically at their worlds, to see the challenges and injustices rooted in the fabric of our society and gain the skill set to make a difference.”

Adele began at Sheridan in 2001 as a first-grade teacher, and over the years she has taught in multiple grade levels. As the professional development director, Adele built a program that included workshops, degree work, and curriculum trips. She developed a curriculum and instructional research program to fund faculty research over the summer, and redesigned Sheridan’s teacher evaluation program. Additionally, Adele served as Sheridan’s director of curriculum and instruction, supervising, evaluating, and coaching the lower and middle school faculty, and overseeing the school’s diversity and equity program.

Adele received a BA in history from Georgetown University, where she graduated magna cum laude and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She also earned a master’s in education from Lesley University.

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News & Notes

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Hayden LaPiana, Chakky Pasupa, Lily Chen, and Tanisha Paul during Spirit Week.

LILY CHEN:

Our China Sister School Exchange Teacher By Beth Lawing

CHARLOTTE

or four months this fall, Lily Chen was an upbeat, enthusiastic member of our Country Day faculty, learning more about education in America while sharing her rich Chinese culture with the school community.

She is the seventh teacher we have hosted through our teacher exchange program with the High School Affiliated to Nanjing Normal University. In Nanjing, Lily teaches English as a Second Language and serves as assistant head of the International Services Department.

Between her stellar English skills and her winning personality, Lily successfully contributed in a variety of school settings: art rooms, German classes, math classes, and even chemistry labs. She also taught Chinese classes, helping our Upper School students practice their conversational skills.

“Lily has been so helpful here,” remarked Nancy Hackett, administrative assistant in the Office of International Studies. “When people spend time with her, they realize that while she’s come all the way from China, she’s really not all that different from them. That’s what’s great about these exchanges—they break down stereotypes.”

BRIDGING CULTURES CHINA PARTNERSHIP In November, Director of Admissions Nancy Ehringhaus traveled to China with our educational partner New Oasis to visit top high schools throughout China for two weeks. New Oasis works with Country Day through the entire admissions process to enroll qualified exchange students from China who are seeking the kind of rigorous American education Country Day provides.

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NANJING

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Here are five facts about Nancy’s trip: 1. The group included administrators from 10 schools in North Carolina and Georgia 2. Kindness and respect for visitors is highly important 3. She interviewed more than 80 students 4. Nancy visited schools in Beijing, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Shanghai 5. Family is of highest importance.

Nancy visited the home of this threegeneration family

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News & Notes Comparing Curriculums Smaller class sizes were one of Lily’s favorite parts of the American education system.

“While we try our best to guide our students’ individual development, it’s really hard in China,” explained Lily. “We have about 42 students per class to teach! Here, students are more active and more brave to stand up and try something new. Where I live, quieter students have trouble extracting their ideas, and that’s unfair in China.”

Lily was interested to learn about Middle School at Country Day, particularly the gender-specific math classes in seventh and eighth grades. “I love this idea. I think it protects both the boys and the girls at this age. I would love for our school to try this.”

Lily loves how interested Country Day students are in her culture. “A lot of students want to know, ‘What does a real Chinese person think about American education?’

I have loved being here at Country Day and I hope being here will mean that more Americans come to China to study.”

MEET OUR NEWEST

Board of Trustees Members Theresa Drew is the managing partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP’s Charlotte office. Since Theresa arrived from San Diego, Deloitte has become the largest CPA firm in the area, and she recently received the 2014 Newcomer of the Year from Leadership Charlotte. Theresa serves on the boards of the Greater Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, UNC-Charlotte, the Arts & Science Council, and YMCA of Charlotte. She has a BS in accounting from Northern Arizona University. She and her husband, Doug, have a son in tenth grade.

Ken V. Garcia is the CEO of PureLux, Inc., co-founder of PrecisionLender, and managing director at Prospect Holdings, LLC. He serves on the Board of Directors of McKim & Creed and the Athletic Alumni Advisory Committee to Board of Trustees at Cornell University. Ken received his JD from the University of Texas School of Law and holds a BS in science from Cornell University. He and his wife, Carrie, have triplet sons in eighth grade, and a son in preschool.

Mary Claudia Belk Pilon ’92 (MC) chairs the John M. Belk Endowment, which focuses on education. She also serves on the Board of the Belk Foundation and the advisory board for the John Belk Scholarship at Davidson College. MC has also served on the Board at The Fletcher School. She is a graduate of Roanoke College, and she and her husband, Jeff ’92, have a first-grade daughter, second-grade son, and another son in middle school at Fletcher.

Steven L. Purdy ’87 is CEO of DeliverCareRx, Inc, and previously served as group vice president/business development at TransUnion Healthcare, LLC, and founder and CEO at MedData. He received a LLM (with Merit), international business transactions from the University of London, and both a JD from UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Law and a BA in English/political science. Steve and his wife, Beth, have two sons currently in the tenth grade.

Scott Stevens is a partner at Pamlico Capital focused in the business and technology services and communications industries. His current board affiliations include HOSTING, Secure-24, and Wilcon Holdings. Representative prior boards include Lightower Fiber Networks, MACTEC, TMW Systems, and USA Compression Partners.

He received a BA from UNC-Chapel Hill and an MBA from The Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. He and his wife, Jenny, have a second grader at Fletcher, and children in fourth grade and seventh grade.

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Dr. Adelle Anthony-Williams is an anesthesiologist with Mobile Anesthesiology, providing office-based services to surgical specialty clinics, and is affiliated with Gaston Anesthesia Associates. She has a BS from City University of New York City College, an MD from NYU School of Medicine, and completed her medical training at Yale University.

Adelle served on the Parents’ Association Middle School Board as recording secretary and then chair, and is also a member of POCIS. She and her husband, Dr. Jerome Williams, have two sons in seventh and eleventh grade.

Bill Zimmern ’95 is a member of Moore & Van Allen where he practices in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and general corporate law. Previously, Bill practiced at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP in New York City. He received his JD from UNC-Chapel Hill and BA from Cornell University. Bill and his wife, Angie, have a daughter in first grade and a preschool son.

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News & Notes

In Memory: Bob Johnston Head of School from 1986 to 1992

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ormer Head of School Robert “Bob” Johnston passed away peacefully on January 26, at age 83.

Mr. Johnston served as Country Day’s head of school from 1986 to 1992.

Prior to Country Day, he was headmaster at the University School of Milwaukee and at Durham Academy for eight years each. After Country Day he led Rabun Gap Nacoochee School, making significant contributions at every school he served.

As head of school, Mr. Johnston was always focused on what was best for students and took every opportunity to hear their views and ideas. In fact, shortly after arriving on campus, he had a door built from his office, then located in Barnhardt Hall, to the outside so that students had easy access.

He was also known to invite students for chat sessions and was very visible on campus, attending sporting matches, performances, and other student activities as much as his busy schedule allowed. To

give all students a chance to build character and teamwork skills through athletics, he instituted the school’s full-participation athletics policy.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Bob several years ago, and he remained deeply interested in the educational experience our students enjoy today,” said Head of School Mark Reed. “I sensed he truly loved his time at Country Day.” During his tenure here, Mr. Johnston made an impact institutionally. He championed Country Day’s global focus by supporting the establishment of the Office of International Studies, expanding the foreign language program, and significantly increasing international student enrollment. He also was committed to creating a more diverse student body.

Under his leadership, Country Day was the first school in Charlotte to affiliate with A Better Chance, a program that identified and promoted scholarships for minority

students. He also secured grant money from the E.E. Ford Foundation to support minority enrollment.

Mr. Johnston oversaw the Expanding Future Opportunities campaign, which grew endowment to support faculty salaries and student scholarships, as well as funded construction of the Levine Center, and expansions to Dickson-Sanger Dining Hall and Belk Stadium. While at Country Day, he was elected into the Headmasters Association, a highly selective organization of school leaders from across the nation.

As a school community, we continue to benefit from the advances made under Mr. Johnston’s leadership at Country Day.

Mark Reed Elected Into Headmasters Association

A favorite Lower School tradition is the holiday visit to Mr. Reed’s house.

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In October, Mark Reed was elected into the Headmasters Association, a highly selective organization of 100 secondary school educational leaders from across the nation. He is the only Charlotte-area member, and one of just two members in the state.

“This is a great honor for Mark and for Country Day,” said Louis Bledsoe ’77, chair of the Board of Trustees. “I know all our students and faculty will benefit from his participation in this highly selective organization.”

“Mark Reed’s visionary leadership and strategic approach have pushed our school to expand in ways that have benefited our students, faculty, staff, and the community,” said Ann Caulkins, vice chair of Country Day’s Board of Trustees and publisher of the Charlotte Observer.

In February, Mr. Reed attended his first Headmasters Association meeting in which educational leaders from many of the country’s best known and selective private schools dive deeply into stimulating and timely themes. This year, the focus of study and discussion was “Discord and Disaster: Differences that Divide Us.” Previous year’s themes have included such topics as immigration, arts in school, the economy, and understanding Islam.

“One of my favorite sayings is ‘Learning is the lifeblood of the human existence,’” said Mr. Reed.

“As a lifelong learner, I am greatly looking forward to the knowledge I will gain through my connection with other educational leaders in the Headmasters Association.”

News & Notes

Remembering Dolly Hickman,

A True Teaching Legend

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eloved educator Dolly Hickman passed away November 9, 2014.

Ms. Hickman, a true trailblazer, retired from teaching Middle School science at Country Day in 1986. During her more than 25 years of service to our school and our students, she left an indelible impression on those graduates fortunate enough to have been in her classroom.

Ms. Hickman pioneered the idea of the “outdoor classroom,” establishing School in the Woods in the 1960s as a culmination of her sixth-grade ecology course. That evolved into an environmental science curriculum used in many schools. She was also known for the incredible summer field trips she organized as a way for her students to apply the lessons they learned in eighth-grade earth science. For two decades, she took rising ninth graders rafting on the Colorado River, hiking into volcanoes, exploring Mexico, and backpacking through Iceland.

Ms. Hickman exemplified everything we cherish in our teachers—the ability to encourage curiosity, a willingness to explore new ideas, and a deep and full appreciation for every one of her students.

“It is teachers like Dolly Hickman that make Country Day such a special place. She was one of the all-time greats and will be missed by the students and colleagues whose lives she touched. Rest in peace Ms. Hickman.”

—Patrick Hobson ’89

“She was a great teacher and a great lady, whose lessons extended far beyond the classroom and the curriculum.

She was certainly my favorite and most influential teacher.”

—Frank Dowd IV ’74

Tech-Robotics Team Advances to State Championship Country Day’s Tech-Robotics “Bucs Bots” Team won the VEX Robotics Competition qualifying match held in Cary, North Carolina, on February 14, and advanced to the state competition in March. This was the team’s first robotics competition.

“I am so proud of these girls for their hard work and determination,” said Erin Springfield, Upper School computer science department head and Tech-Robotics team advisor. “This was a very intense competition, and they never gave up, leading us to first place! These types of programs and competitions inspire students to get involved and become scientists, engineers, and inventors.”

A total of 21 teams from all over North Carolina participated in the competition.

Country Day’s team won the final match in an alliance with their partners from viaRobotics and Charlotte Christian School.

The girls plan to visit Lower School computer classes to talk about the competition, give a demo of the robot they built, and share their experience with younger students. “My hope is these girls will provide inspiration to these younger kids who might be interested in pursuing robotics education in the future,” said Ms. Springfield.

The VEX Robotics Competition, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, is the largest and fastest growing middle and high school robotics program globally with more than 10,000 teams from 32 countries.

Seniors Caroline Godsey, Alexis Robinson, and Crystal Winston won first place in their first robotics competition.

“I think of her every time I see a Christmas fern, a granite outcropping, a star, or planet. Dolly Hickman improved the quality of my life. She was a tough old thing but I learned so much from her. Here’s to you, Dolly Hickman— rest well among the stars, planets, and galaxies.”

—Lucinda Nisbet Lucas ’74

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News & Notes

Lower School Honors MLK Frances Hamilton shares impactful, personal story

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very year, students in all divisions take part in activities near the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to expand their knowledge of equality, justice, and cultural competency. On January 8, students in grades 1–4 and their teachers had the privilege to hear a memorable, first-hand account of the Civil Rights Movement from assistant director of Admissions Frances Hamilton.

Earlier in the day, the children learned about five influential civil rights activists and peace leaders when they visited the “MLK Museum,” organized

by Lower School faculty and administrators. Students visited stations at the “museum” to learn about five well-known peacemakers:

Frances grew up in segregated Orangeburg, South Carolina, and participated in rallies and marches as a high school student during the Civil Rights Movement. She shared her experiences living as a “second class citizen” and why she got involved in making change happen. Here are just a few excerpts from her spellbinding presentation: “As I finished elementary school, the issue of equal rights for all people was becoming a very big concern especially in the South. As Dr. King began to emerge as a leader of the movement in the fight for equal rights, he gained considerable support and the civil rights movement went into full swing in my town.

“Freedom rallies and silent marches

“I did not go to jail for breaking the law—I went for the hope that maybe this small discomfort might bring about change so that my children and grandchildren would not have to be treated as I was.”

Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Cesar Chavez, and Malala Yousafzai. What they learned later from Frances is that anyone can influence change through bravery and conviction.

Bringing history to life The daughter of middle class parents who worked in education and government,

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were some ways we showed our support for the cause. One of my most vivid memories was when I was in high school. As we marched, we were met by police officers who stood on the sides of the street gazing at us as if we were doing something wrong.

We had obtained all the permits needed to walk in a march. When we reached the center of town, we stood for a few

minutes, prayed quietly, and then started back to the church. On the way back, a police officer accused one of the black boys of looking at him...In a matter of minutes, the police officer hit the young man on the head and knocked him down to the ground. When that happened, other marchers tried to help the boy up [but] the police officers used very ugly language and insisted that we just move on. When our leaders tried a second time, respectfully and calmly, the officers warned that if we did not ‘shut up and move on,’ our leaders would be arrested for disturbing the peace. No one moved and our leaders were arrested. As the leaders were being hand cuffed, all of the marchers, including me, began to sit down in support of this injustice. No one began to fight, no one said a word. We just sat quietly and calmly on the sidewalk.

“The series of events that occurred next were played out many times. We were physically removed and taken to a large fenced area next to the city jail. When we did not move as fast as they wanted us to, we were hosed down with water. And, sometimes, when that did not work, they would turn the dogs loose on us.

“I personally went to jail seven times.

The longest time I spent in jail was an entire week. It was scary, hard, and uncomfortable.

I did not go to jail for breaking the law—I went for the hope that maybe this small discomfort might bring about change so that my children and grandchildren would not have to be treated as I was.

“I believe those experiences have helped to make me a stronger and better person today. I made a contribution to a cause and a dream I believed in. I still hold on to that today.”

News & Notes

READY TO SERVE:

Walk of Hope Helps Mexican Sister School

By Lisa Hernick

When eighth-grader and Student Council President David Roselle learned that September’s hurricane Odile caused considerable damage to our sister school in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, he immediately looked for ways to help. He had participated in the exchange with the Amaranto School two years ago and wanted to support his Mexican friends in a personal way. With David’s leadership, the Middle School conducted a letter-writing campaign to support and comfort the students and teachers at the Amaranto School.

David Roselle and Kathy Babula

Kathy Babula, Middle School Spanish teacher and trip leader, said, “The relationship between Country Day and the Amaranto School truly is family. When they feel pain, Country Day responds and vice versa.”

David Lynn, director of International Studies, said, “David embraces a long-term perspective of helping kids globally. His experiences on the Cabo exchange trip have impacted his worldview.”

As planning for this years’ Walk of Hope began, the decision to raise relief money for the Amaranto School was an obvious extension of September’s letter-writing campaign. The goal was to help fund the rebuilding of the school’s library.

Now in its fifth year, the Walk of Hope is an annual tradition at Country Day’s Bissell Campus. Each grade level walks the track as a class during their scheduled PE sessions. Head of Middle School Warren Sepkowitz sees the Walk, which occurs during the week of Thanksgiving, as an opportunity not only for students to make an impact on the world, but also offers time to reflect on what they each have to be thankful for in their lives.

“The relationship between Country Day and the Amaranto School truly is family. When they feel pain, Country Day responds and vice versa.”

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News & Notes regularly. “What I want from you is to grow up and mess this stuff up,” she encouraged the students to loud applause.

The previous evening, Wiseman shared her candid, humorous, and research-based insights with parents as part of the school’s Parent Speaker Series. In a packed Gorelick Family Theater, she spoke on how to talk to, listen, and engage with our children, again offering practical advice for navigating the adolescent years. The Parents’ Association helps to fund the Parent Speaker Series, which brings nationally known thought leaders on education and parenting to our school.

Wiseman’s latest book, Masterminds & Wingmen: Helping Our Boys Cope with Schoolyard Power, Locker-Room Tests, Girlfriends, and the New Rules of Boy World was published in 2013.

Rosalind Wiseman Visits Country Day Best-selling author and thought leader speaks to parents and students

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“

espect is when you look back on someone else’s achievements through time and admire them.

Respect is earned. Dignity is different because it’s about being worthy. Dignity is something that everybody deserves to have right from the start.”

That’s just one of the many meaningful messages Rosalind Wiseman delivered to students at both the Middle and Upper School during assemblies on November 4.

Best known for Queen Bees and Wannabes— the groundbreaking, best-selling book that was the basis for the movie “Mean Girls” starring Tina Fey—Wiseman talked candidly about the social and emotional issues teens face today and offered practical guidance on navigating through such 12

PERSPECTIVES

painful experiences as rejection or betrayal.

She also addressed the media-saturated world teens live in today, and the many negative stereotypes they are exposed to

Learn More In order for students to thrive, they need adults in their lives to provide them with a community where they can safely and confidently learn and grow. That’s why parent education is such an important and intentional component to the Country Day educational experience. To learn more about the many opportunities available for lifelong learning, visit our parent experience page: charlottecountryday.org/parents.

Steve Wall, Upper School dean of students; Rosalind Wiseman; Katy Beltz, Parents’ Association president; and Head of School Mark Reed.

News & Notes

Country Day Ready #CountryDayProud On August 13, after an extensive two-year brand refresh process, we introduced the Country Day community to a new logo and Admissions Viewbook. As shared in previous issues, our process was research-based, strategic, collaborative, and intentional in purpose—to tell our compelling Country Day story more consistently and with one voice.

Throughout the fall, we incorporated our updated visual identity into other school marketing materials, printed pieces, and merchandise.

One of our most important marketing and communication tools is the Web site. In late November, we launched a redesigned site featuring responsive design—which means it adjusts to provide an optimal viewing experience on any device (desktop, tablet, phone).

Full of infographics, first-person stories, and gorgeous photos, the new site tells our Country Day story in an engaging, compelling, and consistent way, clearly communicating what distinguishes our school and what it means to be Country Day Ready. Enhancements to the alumni, arts, and athletics sections provide even more information and resources so you can stay up to date and connected.

As much as we love our new site, we know that our Country Day students, parents, alumni, families, and employees are our most important storytellers and ambassadors. You know best how Country Day goes beyond exceptional academics to more completely prepare students for life. You represent Country Day in the world, and we truly appreciate you sharing the school’s good news with others.

Be sure to visit soon:

charlottecountryday.org

OUR NEW SCHOOL LOGO The acorn continues to symbolize the intentional way in which dedicated teachers, coaches, and parents help our students grow into fine young adults who are ready for new opportunities in college and beyond. Our school seal, which we all value for the tradition of excellence it represents, has been elevated to formal use only, such as for diplomas and commencement events.

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Arts News

Notable Arts Achievements Cabir Kansupada Performed with All-National Honor Ensemble

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unior Cabir Kansupada, who plays the violin, was the only Charlotte student named to the 2014 All-National Honor Ensemble sponsored by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). In October, he joined 670 of the most musically talented and skilled high school students in the United States for a once-in-alifetime experience: performing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.

Cabir said of the experience: “Music connects people together in ways that may not have been possible otherwise.

NAfME was extraordinary because it allowed student musicians from all backgrounds to share creative energy and innovate on a national stage.

All-State Music Honors Congratulations to these talented musicians, who were recognized on the state level.

• NCAIS Honor Band: Trent Steelman (11, trumpet), Maylin vanCleeff (10, clarinet), and Andrew Sung (10, clarinet) were selected for the 2014 NCAIS Honor Band, and performed at Campbell University in October.

• NC Honors All-State Orchestra: Cabir Kansupada (11, violin) was selected to the North Carolina Honors All-State Orchestra and performed for the North Carolina Music Educators Conference in November, in Winston-Salem.

Drama Awards Upper School students presented two one-act plays—Hidden In This Picture and Civil Voices—at the North Carolina Theatre Conference High School Festival in October.

The casts of both shows were recognized by the judges in the following areas: • Excellence in Acting: Jared Montague (12) and Nicklaus Ipock (9) 14

PERSPECTIVES

Mrs. Rydel supported me at every step, and I look forward to bringing back what I learned to the Country Day music program.”

Cabir is a member of the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra; in partnership with the Charlotte Symphony, he coordinates volunteers to mentor students at Winterfield Elementary School; he serves as vice president of Tri-M Honor Society; and he plays in an Asian Fusion band. “It is a thrill to surprise the audience with a blend of American Rock and Indian Classical music,” Cabir said. “These experiences encourage people to celebrate their uniqueness.”

• Excellence in Directing: Jacob Wishnek (12) • Outstanding Original Concept: Cast of Civil Voices • Outstanding Student Writing: Katherine Owensby (11) and Jaylin Cureton (12) • Outstanding Show: Hidden In This Picture

Mid-Carolina Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards GOLD KEY • Jacob Cave, Design • Kate Hudson, Mixed Media • Lille Kester, Design (two awards) • Jake Lavitt, Ceramics & Glass • Claire Lynch, Ceramics & Glass • Catherine Shircliff, Photography • Bennett Stowe, Drawing and Illustration

Orchestra teacher Chris Rydel made the trip to Nashville to see Cabir perform in the National Orchestra Ensemble at the Grand Ole Opry House.

• Marissa Uri, Poetry • Matt Williams, Ceramics & Glass

SILVER KEY • Emily Brown, Drawing and Illustration • Ruijia Dai, Drawing and Illustration • Elizabeth Ellis, Design • Kathryn Holland, Ceramics & Glass • Madison Letts, Design • Madison Letts, Photography • Emma Maclean, Digital Art • Stephanie Nelson, Photography • Emy Pickens, Sculpture • Hope Simonoko, Art Portfolio • Bennett Stowe, Drawing and Illustration (two awards) • Jacob Wishnek, Short Story

Ceramics & glass by Matt Williams

Arts News

Pottery Bowl Workshop for Hospice: 10 Years Strong

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n October 29, Country Day hosted the 10th annual Pottery Bowl Workshop, a community partnership with Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region (HPCCR), to support the Soup on Sunday fundraiser.

More than 100 students, parents, and faculty from all divisions participated in the workshop to make bowls for HPCCR’s annual Soup on Sunday event.

In the HPCCR blog Hospice Matters, marketing manager Andrea Powell shares how this wonderful partnership got started: Ten years ago, when Soup on Sunday was entering its fifth year, Kay Ethridge, a Charlotte Country Day School mom, had a brilliant idea. She was a volunteer (and potter) offering her services at the Urban Ministry Center, helping the neighbors there learn how to make pottery. As part of a community service project, they would make bowls and donate them to Soup on Sunday. But they had limited space, especially for storage. Kay knew that Country Day had just built a beautiful new fine arts center and also knew that the school was devoted to community outreach. So she approached Country Day with the idea of hosting a day to make bowls in their studio. They immediately agreed.

It was (and still is) such a good idea for many reasons. It allows the Urban Ministry neighbors to be creative and give back to their community. It allows the Country Day faculty and students and

Urban Ministry neighbors the chance to interact in a common setting and work together for a common goal. And it populates that long table at Soup on Sunday, giving soup aficionados countless options for beautiful take-home pieces.

Jinny Hargrave, potter and owner of Carolina Clay Connection, brings the clay to Country Day on the pottery day each year and, along with Kay Ethridge and art teacher Meredith Green, helps manage the bowl-making process. For 10 years now, a beautiful partnership has ensured that the pottery room at Soup on Sunday is a feast of vibrant colors, interesting textures, and unique sizes. They are labors of love, modeled in clay, compassion, and creativity.

READY TO SHINE! 5 1

2

3

4

(1.) First graders had fun celebrating fall in their grade level performance, including (2.)Jonah Agisim.

(3.) Kayla Spangler, sixth grade, was excited to perform at the fall concert for Grandparents and Special Friends Day. (4.) A Connecticut Yankee, the Upper School musical co-written by drama teacher Scott Warfel, featured a large cast, including sophomore (5.) Olivia Lamarre.

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Buc Sports

Bucs Bring Home

Three Repeat Championships

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our Country Day teams wrapped up their seasons on Saturday, October 25, with appearances in North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) championship finals.

Field hockey, tennis, and volleyball all came away with NCISAA 3A titles—the second straight year those teams have accomplished the feat. Boys’ soccer finished as the state runner-up after a hard-fought 2–0 loss to top seed Wesleyan Christian.

“It was a great day for our teams, our program, and our school,” said Director of Athletics Abe Wehmiller. “Our student-athletes have worked hard all season to improve individually and to improve our teams.”

Volleyball Rematch

Field Hockey Wins in Overtime Field hockey brought home the first title of the day, outlasting rival Durham Academy at Forsyth Country Day School for a 1–0 victory. After a tense 60 minutes of regulation play ended in a scoreless tie, junior Kathryn Holland scored the game winner midway through the first overtime period.

Senior goalkeeper Shannon Baker had 13 saves on the afternoon to earn the shutout for the Bucs. The win avenged a 3–2 defeat at Durham Academy earlier in the season and raised the Bucs’ season record to 15–2.

It was the program’s 12th state championship overall and fourth under current Head Coach Lisa Thompson.

Tennis Climbs Back for Win Thirty miles away at Wesleyan Christian Academy’s tennis courts, the Bucs’ girls’ tennis team had fallen behind early, 16

PERSPECTIVES

dropping two of three doubles matches to Cary Academy. Country Day climbed back into the match with straight-set singles victories from sophomore Rachel Carroll and senior Aletta Ryan. Cary Academy registered two wins before junior Ishana Nigam outlasted her opponent in three sets to tie the match 4–4. That left junior Kylie Maher, playing in the number five spot, as the last Buc on the court. Maher recovered from down a set to force a third-set tiebreak and eventually win her match, giving Country Day a 5–4 team victory. The Bucs ran their season record to 17–3 and recorded the program’s 14th state title, all under the leadership of Head Coach Calvin Davis.

Also at Wesleyan Christian, Country Day volleyball faced off against Covenant Day in a rematch of last year’s NCISAA finals. It was the fifth time the Bucs and Lions had squared off this year, with Country Day having won the previous four meetings. This time was no different, as the Bucs prevailed in four sets (25–21, 24–26, 25–12, 25–20). Country Day’s talented senior class finished their careers in style, as Katharine Franz, Rachel Janson, Hannah Kintzinger, Asya Patterson, and Taylor Portland led the Bucs in all statistical categories. The Bucs finished the year at 44–1. It was the program’s eighth state title and second for Head Coach Brian Rosen. Even more impressive, the team dropped only five sets all season to finish as the No. 15 team in Maxpreps.com Xcellent 25 national ranking.

“It is rare for a school to have three different sports programs earn back-to-back state titles,” said Head of School Mark Reed.

“I am also very proud of the way they celebrated their achievements with sportsmanship and humility.”

Buc Sports

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS All-Observer Honors Country Day student-athletes were well represented in the Charlotte Observer’s fall recognition of the top private and public school athletes in the greater Charlotte area.

• Boys’ soccer—First team: Ben Locke, Axel Rydberg • Girls’ tennis—First team: Avery Hunter; Second team: Ishana Nigam.

• Volleyball—First team: Katharine Franz, Rachel Janson, Hannah Kintzinger; Second team: Asya Patterson.

Katharine Franz was also named the Observer Player of the Year, and Head Coach Brian Rosen was named the Observer Coach of the Year.

• Football—Second team: JD Dellinger

NCISAA State Teams Eleven Country Day student-athletes were recognized with North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association all-state honors: • Field hockey: Shannon Baker, Anna Comer, Kathryn Holland, Megan Mahoney • Boys’ soccer: Ben Locke, Axel Rydberg • Girls’ tennis: Avery Hunter • Volleyball: Katharine Franz, Rachel Janson, Hannah Kintzinger, Asya Patterson.

• Football: Turner Burgess, Will Cuthbertson, JD Dellinger, Jamie Massey, Tre Seegars, Matt Williams, Sheppard Wilson

Clark, Strength Program Garner National Honors Director of Strength and Conditioning Darnell Clark was recognized this past summer as the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) high school strength and conditioning coach of the year. The organization also recognized Country Day’s strength program with its Strength of America award.

The NSCA’s coach of the year awards are given annually to four strength and conditioning professionals (one high school, two college, one professional) in recognition of their achievements and work on behalf of their fellow coaches and the profession as a whole.

The Strength of America award honors high school programs that exhibit excellence in four categories: supervision, education, program, and facilities. Country Day was one of 19 schools receiving the award this year. It is the fourth such award for the Bucs, the others having come in 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13.

Ed Walton Honored By Local Baseball Organization Former Country Day Head Varsity Baseball Coach Ed Walton was honored by the Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League with the organization’s Lou Presutti Excellence in Baseball Award. The annual award, now in its fifth year, honors individuals who have made meaningful and sustained contributions to baseball in the South Charlotte area.

Coach Walton, who now serves as an assistant coach for the Bucs, was at the helm of the Country Day program for 31 years. His teams accumulated more than 500 wins and nine state titles. He retired from his head coaching post in 2004; in 2009, Country Day’s baseball field was named Ed Walton Field in his honor.

The Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League also named the Bucs’ 2014 Middle School team, coached by Josh Thomas and Cam Cockerham, as the 2014 Youth Baseball Team of the Year after finishing last season with a perfect 15–0 record and a Greater Charlotte Middle School Athletic Association (GCMSAA) championship.

Bob Witman Announces Retirement after 25 Years at the Helm Varsity football coach Bob Witman, who has led the program since 1990 and coached the Bucs to eight state titles, announced his retirement in February.

Look for more information about his career and impact in the summer issue.

In the meantime, be sure to visit our tribute page here: charlottecountryday.org/coachwitman.

KEEP UP WITH BUCS ATHLETICS Our new Web site makes it easy to keep up with Country Day’s 72 teams in 26 sports—whether you’re on a desktop, tablet, or phone. Check it out at charlottecountryday.org/athletics.

You can also follow every sports program on twitter or follow the main feed @ccdsbucs.

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Buc Sports

KATHARINE FRANZ

NC Gatorade Player of the Year

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ith back-to-back state championship wins, there is no doubt Country Day’s volleyball program boasts exceptional talent in both players and coaching. For one player, middle hitter Katharine Franz, the season was simply extraordinary as she amassed an unprecedented number of honors and recognitions from various organizations.

A highlight came in November when she was named by Gatorade and USA Today High School Sports as the 2014–15 Gatorade North Carolina Volleyball Player of the Year. The awards program, now in its 30th year, honors top high school athletes in 12 varsity sports for their athletic excellence, academic achievement, and exemplary character and is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious honors in high school sports.

“Katharine is a dynamic player who is able to do things few others can,” said Country Day head coach Brian Rosen, who earned back-to-back recognition as the Charlotte Observer Volleyball Coach of the Year. “She is the rare middle hitter who never comes off of the court. Her attacks off one foot are powerful and difficult to defend and she is relentless on defense. She is also a terrific

BY THE NUMBERS Katharine completes her career as a Buc with an impressive record:

1,251 kills 676 digs 220 blocks 175 aces

student and active participant in the community.”

Katharine adds this honor to her other recognitions this season, including Under Armour All-American Honorable Mention, Charlotte Observer Player of the Year (2013 and 2014), NCISAA State Player of the Year (2013 and 2014), CISAA Conference Player of the Year, and South Charlotte Weekly Sports Report Player of the Year.

VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: KATHARINE FRANZ Excerpts reprinted with permission from a January 9, 2015, South Charlotte Weekly article by Hannah Chronis

DESPITE THE HONORS and accolades continuing to roll in for Franz, she remains humble to her core.

“I really started to develop into the player I am now when I moved to Charlotte freshman year and began training with Brian Rosen,” she said. “He really believed in me and pushed me to be the best player I could…I’m so thankful for my teammates and coaches.

Without them in the gym with me and all the hours, practices, wins, and tough losses, I wouldn’t be where I am. We did it together.”

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A star on the volleyball court, Franz also succeeded in the classroom, maintaining a 3.65 GPA at the rigorous Country Day. In her spare time, she volunteered with a plethora of organizations, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and Special Olympics.

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ranz’s impressive resume will carry her far.

She’s signed to continue her volleyball career at Davidson College, where she hopes to study psychology or pre-med. “I’m so excited to continue my career at Davidson,” she said. “I love the coaches there and my teammates. It’s such a great fit and the academic opportunities there are incredible as well.”

Features

Rodney Pitts ’64

Continues to Give Back

Endowment fund helps prepare all Country Day students for a multicultural world

By Lee-Anne Black

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and the Cook Cup football game, and he gives generously of his time and resources for the betterment of today’s students.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Rodney saw the Rodney in 1951 school through the eyes of a parent while his daughter Betsy Bryan ’09 attended. there is more scholarship money available for His loyalty and commitment to Country Upper School students. Our family supports Day grew even stronger as he stepped up a Lower School scholarship because of to serve two terms as a Board of Trustees the value that delivers to the total student member. In fact, he continues to serve as population in providing the full benefit of a non-trustee member of the investment a Country Day education.” committee. And through those roles, he This past fall, Rodney and his family made has played an important a substantial contribution part in helping to make “I think a strong academic that virtually doubled Country Day a more environment is made even the endowed scholarship socioeconomically stronger, for everyone, fund. It now allows an diverse community. additional Lower School when the student body student to receive a full “I deeply value the more closely mirrors the tuition scholarship education I received greater world.” at Country Day,” said beginning in the Rodney. “When I went to 2015–16 school year. college, I was exposed to and benefited from These qualified students then receive a a wider world. I think a strong academic different scholarship after completing environment is made even fourth grade. stronger, for everyone, “In the past, financial aid was often a when the student body heartfelt gesture to offer students, who more closely mirrors the otherwise couldn’t afford it, the gift of greater world.” a Country Day education,” said Lauren In 1991, Rodney Batten, director of advancement. “Today established the W.R. it is viewed as a critical tool that ensures a Pitts Family Endowed diverse learning environment for all of Scholarship Fund as a our students.” successor to scholarship Rodney agreed: “Country Day is stronger giving which began in now than it has ever been. To secure 1976. The endowment Country Day’s future for the long run, I am funds full tuition for a committed to supporting scholarships that promising incoming help prepare all our students for college and kindergarten student life. Everyone in the class benefits when our who would otherwise be student body is socioeconomically diverse.” unable to attend Country To learn more about endowment, please Day. “At most schools, visit: charlottecountryday.org/endowment.

Rodney, pictured with his wife, Elizabeth, and children Carson and including Country Day, Betsy Bryan, was named Alumnus of the Year in 2007.

hen Rodney Pitts came to Country Day as a kindergartner in 1951, just 11 years after the school first opened its doors, the student body was small and the facilities—then at a six-acre campus off Sardis Road— were outdated barracks from the Great Depression’s Civilian Conservation Corps. In keeping with the times, the school served a homogenous group of students through eighth grade only. Rodney has fond memories of his time as a Country Day student and says the excellent education he received carried him on to success at Episcopal High School, then Duke University, and the University of Chicago Business School.

Today he is the busy chairman and CEO of Southern Elevator Company. Yet, his excitement for and allegiance to Country Day continues to grow and deepen. He regularly attends school events like the annual Holiday Breakfast, Big Saturday,

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Features

IB Students Explore

EBOLA from all ANGLES

By Beth Lawing

Senior Hope Simonoko created this visual statement about Ebola in her IB visual studies course.

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PERSPECTIVES

Features

A

s the Ebola outbreak quickly developed into a potential global heath crisis, Country Day’s International Baccalaureate (IB) teachers saw an opportunity to maximize the inherent interdisciplinary and global nature of the program.

From medicine to politics to global interconnectedness, this urgent, evolving issue dominated the news cycle and generated widespread discourse.

“As faculty in the IB program, we felt the need to address the Ebola epidemic in our classes,” said IB coordinator and biology teacher Stewart Peery ’98. “We felt that creating a week of lessons dedicated to Ebola would get the IB students engaged in discussing and learning about a significant international issue.”

This interdisciplinary approach for Ebola Week, held November 17–21, created a unique tapestry of IB course lessons taught by 16 different faculty members. As a capstone experience, students also participated in a Skype session with Country Day alumnus and psychologist George “Chip” Hunter ’73 as he prepared to leave for Monrovia, Liberia, as a mental health coordinator for Doctors Without Borders.

From IB Science to IB History In biology class, students studied how the Ebola virus attacks the immune system.

They simulated their own blood tests for the disease while chemistry students investigated the biochemistry behind Ebola vaccines. In math classes, students created a mathematical model to describe the growth of Ebola rates and help predict future outbreak numbers.

Many IB language teachers spent time examining the media’s influence by watching newscasts in French, German, or Chinese and comparing it to American media coverage. Psychology teacher Tony Lombardino discussed how the media coverage of Ebola impacts our nature of

fear on a cognitive level, as well as how adults and adolescents vary in how they differentiate fear.

Meanwhile, the humanities teachers discussed passages from The Hot Zone in English classes while Brian Kridler’s 20th Century History students researched how today’s Ebola epidemic compares with the 1918 Spanish influenza outbreak in terms of origins, symptoms, spread of disease, and government intervention.

In the studio, artists used their learning to develop a personal visual statement of Ebola. “I’m very proud of their creativity,” said art teacher Meredith Green. “They did a nice job of putting together information from all kinds of sources.”

Ready to Skype By the end of Ebola Week, the students were more than ready for their question and answer Skype session with alumnus Dr. Chip Hunter. “I asked Chip to begin by telling us about his mission,” remembered Mr. Peery. “He talked a lot about how he would be a support for families and how he hoped to modify their cultural mindset for safer burial practices—and he emphasized

that this is very hard to do because there is mistrust of the West.”

Chip thoroughly enjoyed Skyping with the students. “That was so much fun for me!” he emailed from Geneva, two days before his deployment for Liberia. “I was incredibly impressed by their preparation and the knowledge that they brought to the session.

Their questions were really well-formed and it was clear that they had done their homework. I was especially impressed with the integrative nature of the things they were asking. Their questions often crossed disciplines, such as with the medical and religious beliefs about the epidemic. As a college professor in the Department of Education, I can honestly say that the whole enterprise is one of the most creative examples of integrative teaching that I have ever seen.”

The Country Day IB faculty hopes that they can do a similar investigation of a global issue next year with even more visitors attending classes. “As a faculty, these are the lesson plans that we are the most proud of,” said Mr. Peery. “It’s a coordinated effort by the faculty; it takes a great deal of work, but it is absolutely worth it!”

s a college professor in the Department of “ AEducation, I can honestly say that the whole

enterprise is one of the most creative examples of integrative teaching that I have ever seen.”

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Features

First Middle School

MODEL UN CONFERENCE Students tackle global issues and in the process learn negotiation, diplomacy, and problem-solving skills

By Beth Lawing

Eighth-grader Dylan Singhi was nervous about speaking in front of his peers during Charlotte’s first-ever Middle School Model United Nations Conference (CHARMUN), held February 6–7 on Bissell Campus. CHARMUN, a partnership between Country Day, Cannon School, Charlotte Latin, the Military and Global Leadership Academy at Marie G. Davis, and Providence Day, involved 60 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade delegates, 19 fifth- and sixth-grade volunteer runners, and seven Upper School Model UN team members who served as chairs.

Dylan’s hesitation didn’t stem from a fear of public speaking; he was nervous about playing in character as a delegate from North Korea. “I got up in committee and said, ‘North Korea

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believes that women should not fight in wars due to their lack of skills and strengths,’ he explained. “It was so hard to say in a room filled with girls my own age because I don’t believe it. But I had to speak on human relation issues the way my country feels.”

That’s the goal of Model UN. Throughout the conference, student delegates represent a wide range of countries as they debate and attempt to resolve major world issues. In the process, students learn to think critically and strategically about the global perspectives of other countries, as well as develop diplomacy and problem-solving skills.

Saturday’s session began with a keynote address from Troy Pelshak, vice chair of the Charlotte International Cabinet, who also played with the St. Louis Rams team that won Super Bowl XXXIV. A native of Nigeria, he spoke to the students about his experience immigrating to the United States at age four, and encouraged them to look at their own difficulties from different perspectives.

Features The students took Troy Pelshak’s message to heart. They spent the day working in a diplomatic simulation to solve some of the most pressing global problems, including: • Safe disposal of radioactive waste • Illegal use of child soldiers • Cross-border cooperation on pandemic control • Promotion of female rights in the armed forces • The challenge of ISIS Seventh-grader Rob Deaton, acting as a delegate from Australia said, “I like how there are surprises throughout. You really have to think on your feet and work hard to find allies.”

Eighth-grader Violet Phillips, a delegate from Panama, agreed.

“It’s really fun and interesting. It’s nice to feel like we have a say in world problems.”

We Interrupt This Broadcast A dramatic plot twist occurred for the delegates during the General Assembly.

They thought they would be resolving how to end worldwide hunger through better distribution of corn—until a runner interrupted the proceedings to announce that a Russian airplane had just crashed into a coral reef in a disputed part of the South China Sea. The delegates saw a

student-produced telecast and learned who served as secretary general said, “At several facts: all passengers had survived, times, we helped the middle schoolers including four UN aid workers and with minor procedural missteps—such as three known how to apply “ These students are energized and will remember a term—and terrorists with expertise this experience. They will continue to make global once we did, in chemical they got in connections long after today.” weapons. The full flow.” terrorists had various ties to Al Qaeda, Alexander Weir ’16 was impressed by how prepared his younger counterparts ISIS, and Boko Haram. were. “They were so articulate for their age Who would come up with a peaceful solution and they conducted themselves so well in for how to rescue the survivors? simulation.”

Who should arrest the terrorists for their Nancy Garett ’16 agreed. “These guys crimes against humanity? will have a huge advantage when they get to How should the rescue take place Upper School because they’ll really know without harming the fragile how the procedures work.” environment of the coral reef?

In the end, the CHARMUN delegates It was up to the passed a resolution that the United States delegates at the would pick up the survivors and take them CHARMUN to the nearby Philippines. The Philippines Conference to solve would be responsible for helping the survivors get to Russia. All three terrorists the dispute. They would be arrested and taken to their country were given 45 of origin and tried in an international court. minutes to conduct “In real life, the Spratly Islands in the additional online South China Sea really are disputed for research and then fishing and mineral rights,” noted David Inessa Chandra of Charlotte Latin served as Lynn, director of International Studies. deputy secretary general and Country Day’s “We added a plane crash into the equation Manu Amin led the event as secretary general. for a bit more of a dramatic effect. Model reconvene for talks in the General Assembly UN really is like sports for world issues. to pass a resolution to address the situation. These students are energized and will While the faculty sponsors intentionally remember this experience. stayed on the sidelines, the Upper School They will continue to make students took the lead by moderating the global connections long mock General Assembly. Manu Amin ’15, after today.”

Next Stop: Paths to Peace The Middle School Model UN Club is the brainchild of David Lynn and Megan Fink. Mr. Lynn has seen the program work successfully with middle schoolers at his former school. “I was excited to work with David on this project,” remarked Ms. Fink. “The students researched their countries for four weeks. It’s an incredible experience to see them have this unique opportunity to talk about global issues.”

Over spring break, 14 of the 20-plus members will travel with Mr. Lynn and Ms. Fink to Paris to participate in the first Paths to Peace global experience. In addition to serving as delegates at a Model United Nations Conference in Paris, they will explore European sites significant to understanding peacemaking efforts.

Features

Learning in a

Connected

Society For today’s students there is no divide between the online and physical worlds

By Lee-Anne Black, editor Who remembers doing current events homework in middle school social studies?

For most of us that meant scanning the local, morning newspaper in the hopes that there would be some sort of interesting article about the region of the world we were assigned. We then clipped out the article, pasted it on a piece of notepaper, wrote a summary or answered a few generic questions, and turned it into the teacher to grade. It was kind of a lonely business, with little or no creativity and limited feedback.

That’s not the experience Country Day seventh graders will remember. Their World Geography teachers, Jessica Demeter and Kelly Zander, joined Country Day this year with a wealth of experience in 1:1 teaching, flipped classrooms, and blended learning— all ways to describe how technology is changing and enhancing the way students and teachers interact (see box).

Using a school-issued iPad air, Mrs. Demeter and Ms. Zander’s students search for interesting current events topics from credible sources from around the world.

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The students then post a link to their article of interest to an online Wiki page (using proper site sourcing style), share their views on the content, and develop two specific, thought-provoking questions for their classmates to respond to in the comments— very much like a blog. One student’s post about Russia’s ban on driver’s license for gay and transgender citizens generated educated discussion about discrimination, including connections to knowledge about the Holocaust.

“In today’s classroom, students own their education,” explained Mrs. Demeter. “Online tools don’t replace teachers; they allow us to direct students in ways that make learning more connected, collaborative, analytical, interactive, individualized, and reflective of the way problem-solving occurs in the work place. The iPad isn’t an ‘extra’ or add-on to the lesson. For our students, coming to class without the iPad is like coming to school without a pencil.”

As digital natives, and with real-time data and information at their fingertips, students have the ability to be the “teacher.” “There is

no shame in learning from students,” said Ms. Zander. “I am thrilled when a student discovers another innovative use for the iPad or can update me and classmates on world geography through their research.

The world is changing fast, and they are learning to be global citizens. They are getting the skills and confidence to learn more and more at a higher level than ever.”

1:1 Technology Initiative In August, Country Day successfully implemented the first phase of its 1:1 technology rollout, providing an iPad Air to each seventh-grade student and a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet to all members of the freshman class. Next fall, all students in grades 3–12 will receive school-issued

Features personal computing devices as an integral part of their Country Day experience, with iPads for students in grades 3–8, and Windows tablets for grades 9–12.

Using mobile computing devices is not new. For several years, students have been using iPads, notebooks, and smartphones to reinforce handwriting in kindergarten, capture and analyze real-time data in physics and engineering classes, and practice fluency in foreign language classes, just to name a few examples. However, the 1:1 model allows learning to occur anytime, anywhere, with no delay in classroom planning. Teachers and students operate more nimbly as they move seamlessly from the physical to digital environments, leveraging ever-expanding learning tools.

This more than $1 million investment in preparing our students for the future is possible due to growth in Annual Fund and endowment over the past several years.

Most schools cover the cost of mobile devices by adding it to the tuition bill or adding an additional technology fee. We have not found another school nationally that has been able to incorporate the cost of leasing and insuring the devices into the operating budget, thus maintaining minimal tuition increases for parents.

The 1:1 decision and rollout came after several years of study and planning by school administrators. “The trend toward 1:1 has been on our radar for several years,” explained Jessica Flaxman, director of studies for Upper School and co-chair of the Digital Citizenship Committee. “We have been very intentional in our study of our needs as learners, looking at best practices and student outcomes. A great deal of thought

and care was put into what would work best at Country Day to deepen learning and understanding.”

“A lot of schools around the country have gotten themselves into trouble by jumping into 1:1 without doing the kind of due diligence that happened at Country Day,” said Joe Hernick, who joined Country Day in July as director of educational technology and serves with Mrs. Flaxman as co-chair of the

“We have been very intentional in our study of our needs as learners, looking at best practices and student outcomes.

A great deal of thought and care was put into what would work best at Country Day to deepen learning and understanding.”

Digital Citizenship Committee. “If you don’t have the right tools and infrastructure in place, training for teachers, or citizenship guidelines for students, the investment in technology and the potential it brings to learning is wasted.”

The decision to begin the rollout with just two grades has made for a smooth transition. For instance, while the devices have age-appropriate filters for application downloads and restrictions on streaming and social media access, some of those have been tweaked because they were too restrictive and got in the way of effective learning.

For ninth graders, the Surface Pro has proven to be a vital organizational and learning tool as they make the transition to the more rigorous Upper School course

LINGO DEFINED 1:1 Classroom: The term 1:1 denotes a device associated with each student that is also used by the teacher. However, it is not about the device, but rather the paradigm shift that comes with facilitating real-time interactions between teacher and student.

Blended Classroom: Refers to blending the best elements of traditional teaching—strong

load. All teachers and students are using a cloud-based program called OneNote on a daily basis to take notes, annotate, share documents, and complete assignments.

Using this “electronic binder,” students easily keep all their course work organized, but in a way that makes the learning process interactive.

The Biology I teachers have been particularly effective in embedding use of the Surface

student/teacher relationships—with the inventive and intelligent use of digital and online resources.

Flipped Classroom: This model reverses the traditional lecture and homework elements of a course. Teachers prepare short video lectures for students to watch at home. Class time is spent working through exercises, collaborating on projects, or in discussion.

into the curriculum. For each lesson, teachers upload related documents and worksheets in advance, explained Stephanie Lanzel. “As we deliver the day’s lesson, students have the images and examples already available in their devices. They can type their notes or use the stylus to write or draw. They can import a photo or add a research link to help in their understanding. And because I can see their work in real time, I can be much more attuned to their understanding of the subject matter.”

But she also knows that there is value in preserving the interpersonal skills that come with traditional classroom teaching. “It’s important to balance screen time with face time,” said Ms. Lanzel. “I still incorporate plenty of ‘screens down’ discussions.”

This transition year also allows for faculty to be well-trained in best practices and innovative curriculum. In addition to seventh- and ninth-grade teachers sharing their knowledge, ideas, and learnings with their peers, formal trainings are also taking place in each division with outside experts.

In April, 24 teachers will receive initial training toward certification by Common SPRING 2015

25

Features Sense Education, a professional development organization that advocates and supports the safe, responsible, and effective implementation of digital literacy and citizenship.

Speaking of Digital Citizenship While the early advent of computers offered the promise of a new era in educated citizenry, the growth of social media, smart phones, online gaming, and other products of the digital age reveals that it also has the ability to bring out the worst in humanity.

Mrs. Flaxman took up research on digital citizenship for her graduate degree practicum in the fall of 2013.

She found that much of the dialogue surrounding technology focused on its negative effects, sometimes to the point of fear-mongering. Then she read It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens by Danah Boyd, which dispels many social media myths and looks at the ways teens use online interactions to become informed, thoughtful, and engaged citizens.

“That was really a mindset shift for me,” said Mrs. Flaxman. “As we moved toward 1:1, I knew we needed to come at it from a very positive position and harness all that is good about technology. We also needed to recognize and build on the programs and processes we already have in place for our students that instill good character.”

This fall, Mrs. Flaxman and Mr. Hernick co-chaired a Digital Citizenship Committee comprised of faculty, parents, and students.

What they learned through their readings, discussions, and assessment of school programs is that there was no need for a distinct digital citizenship plan.

“We recognize that for today’s students there is no divide between the online and physical worlds,” said Mr. Hernick. “Country Day is already a place of moral strength, integrity, accountability, honor, and compassion. There really is no such thing as digital citizenship. There is just good citizenship.”

That strong foundation begins in Lower School. In addition to the many ways classroom teachers instill good character, students also benefit from the intentional lesson planning of computer science teacher Karen Sullivan and librarians Jody Specker and Tara Kester. For a long time now, students have been immersed in information and media literacy, the research cycle, and computer literacy during their special area classes. They leave Lower School as adept consumers of information, knowing right from wrong.

“There really is no such thing as digital citizenship.

There is just good citizenship.”

As students move on to Middle and Upper School, they continue to receive age-appropriate learning related to the modern challenges of digital communication, information permanence, and the long-term implications of a student’s online footprint.

Looking Ahead For 40 years now, Country Day teachers have thoughtfully integrated technology into the educational experience in ways that deepen learning for our students. And if there is one thing we know for sure, the technology our students are using today will be outdated for them faster than a typewriter was for us. But that won’t matter. It’s the critical thinking, analysis, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills they are learning through technology that will make them ready for the future.

COUNTRY DAY FIRST In 1974, the Parents’ Association allocated $10,000 toward the purchase of the school’s very first computer. That was an incredible investment into a single computer the size of a phone booth.

LEARN MORE Members of the Digital Citizenship Committee read several books to help understand the benefits and pitfalls of technology. Two popular books take opposing points of view that taken together may offer balance: • Catherine Steiner-Adair, The Big Disconnect • Danah Boyd, It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens Common Sense Media is the national clearing house for digital education from varying perspectives and considered a very credible source for expert guidance, including resources for parents: • Blog for parents: commonsensemedia.org/blog • Resource for parents: commonsensemedia.org/parent-concerns Next October, Scott McLeod, an expert on technology in schools and the author of What School Leaders Need to Know About Digital Technologies and Social Media, will visit campus as our Parent Speaker Series guest.

Features patent-pending innovation that enables billions of people to build financial identities using their mobile data.

Their cloud-based software combines demographic, geographic, financial, and social data from mobile phones and other sources in real time to allow loan officers the ability to request and retrieve instant scores from any phone, anytime, anywhere in the world.

A Win-Win-Win

Nicole was honored by PopTech as one of their Social Innovation Fellows

Nicole Stubbs ’03:

Using Technology to Revolutionize Emerging Economies

By Jonsie Evans, Associate Director of Advancement/Alumni Relations

In the wake of the financial crisis, access to credit has become increasingly difficult for almost everyone. And for the poorest citizens in developing nations, it’s practically impossible. As co-founder and CEO of First Access, Nicole Stubbs ’03 has developed a creative solution to this challenge using technology and mobile data.

The Challenge of Informal Markets Much of the economy in developing countries is comprised of informal markets and cash transactions. As a result, people are less likely to have the legal contracts, vehicle registrations, IDs, and other documentation that financial institutions use to evaluate a person’s credit worthiness. Nicole explained, “While too much debt can be dangerous, access to credit also enables a lot of life’s biggest opportunities, like financing an education, owning a home, or starting a

business, which often lead to increased economic security.”

A number of microfinance institutions and commercial banks offer loans to individuals in informal markets, but their process of evaluating potential borrowers tends to be time consuming and costly.

Meanwhile, the growth of mobile phone users has exploded in developing countries.

Nicole recognized that to lower interest rates, one must first lower the cost of lending, and that the power of mobile data was key to her vision.

In 2011, she co-founded First Access, a start-up pioneering the first instant risk scores and data marketplace for emerging economies using an award-winning,

First Access found a way to align the interests of mobile network operators (MNOs), financial service providers, and consumers in a single marketplace. Their product generates revenue for MNOs, costs savings for financial institutions, and better loan terms for borrowers.

Over the last four years, First Access has scored over 500,000 loan applications, their retail credit risk models have the highest reported accuracy of any in the developing world, and they are now working to commercialize the service across a variety of institutions in East Africa.

Nicole shared, “Our biggest accomplishment is having proven, with flying colors, that we can accurately predict a person’s credit risk by analyzing their mobile phone usage records. It’s a huge step forward for getting billions of people access to capital.”

First Access has been featured in numerous media, including Forbes, American Banker, CNBC, and Financial Times. In 2013, Nicole was honored

by PopTech as one of their Social Innovation Fellows, and she won the William James Foundation’s Sustainable Business Competition.

> firstaccessmarket.com

Want to learn more? Watch a video that explains how First Access works. bit.ly/nicolestubbs

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Alumni Scrapbook LETTER from the OFFICE of ALUMNI RELATIONS Dear Alumni, We’ve seen lots of momentum building for our Alumni Relations program over the last few years, and we’re tremendously grateful for your support as we continue to provide additional resources for alumni.

This fall we launched a brand new Web site—a wonderful tool to highlight what makes Country Day so special and more easily share important news and information with our many audiences, including you. We also reestablished the Alumni Council, a group of alumni volunteer leaders who help further the mission of the Alumni Association and the school.

This spring is also shaping up to be a busy season. Alumni Reunion Weekend is just around the corner, on April 24–25, and will include events for all alumni and their families, plus Class Reunions for the 0s and 5s. It’s a great opportunity to visit campus and reconnect with former classmates, teachers, and coaches.

Please visit charlottecountryday.org/alumni to learn more about the Alumni Council and volunteer opportunities, Alumni Reunion Weekend and other upcoming events, and the resources we offer to help you stay connected to your alma mater and one another.

Thank you for the many ways you support Country Day!

Jonsie Evans ’95 Associate Director of Advancement, Alumni Relations

The 2014–2015 Alumni Council: David Smoots ’81 (president), Justin Starnes ’93 (Alumni Annual Fund chair), Steven Vaughn ’84 (past president), Jonsie Evans (secretary/treasurer, ex officio), Kelly Walton Miller ’90 (president-elect)

ALUMNI-FACULTY/STAFF COFFEE // October 11, 2014

Alumni, current and former faculty and staff, and parents of alumni enjoyed catching up in the Hance Family Gallery.

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PERSPECTIVES

Alumni Scrapbook ALUMNI LEGACY PICNIC // September 16, 2014

Sally Eubanks Brown ’94, her husband, Pete Brown, and their three children, Molly (1st grade), Banks (K), and Annie, with Sally’s father, Tom Eubanks.

Natasha Stowe McMichael ’95 with her daughters Nadiya (6th grade) and Lela (4th grade).

Stephanie Neill Harner ’91 with her mother-in-law, Dottie Koehler, and daughter, Sarah Blair (5th grade).

Charlie Stauffer (K), States Cooke (1st grade), Quinn Kennedy (4th grade), Ben Harker (1st grade), Wade Logan (1st grade), Everett Hair (1st grade), Wesley Hair (1st grade)

Elizabeth Beltz ’13, Maggie Whitley ’13, with retired faculty member Chris Martin

Former faculty members Mary Karen Vellines and Libby Griffin

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Alumni Scrapbook ALUMNAE FIELD HOCKEY GAME

// OCTOBER 11, 2014

Four decades of alumnae took on the varsity team during the annual Alumnae Field Hockey Game.

Tracy O’Leary ’82 shows the varsity girls that she’s still got it.

Allison Cornwell Moss ’99 with her husband, Bo Moss, and their sons, Parker and James

The alumnae huddle before the game.

ALUMNI BASKETBALL GAME

// November 28, 2014 Alumni spanning four decades came out to play in the annual Alumni Basketball Game.

Joe Thompson ’98, Patrick Balsley ’00

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PERSPECTIVES

Morgan Roberts ’11, Alex Owen ’14, Hassan Mason ’13, Ben Simons ’12

Alumni Scrapbook CLASS OF 2011 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

// December 22, 2014

William Frazier, Ward Showalter, Thomas Dorsett, David Keatley, Sam Poole

Members of the Class of 2011 and their parents gathered for Home for the Holidays in December, including: Meera Clark, Elizabeth Weir, Katie Moran, Francie Mangan, and Nicole Tate.

Lauren Ellis, her mom and former Lower School teacher, Susie Ellis, and Amy Blumenthal, who is a former trustee and current member of the Board of Visitors

ATLANTA ALUMNI GATHERING

// January 8, 2015

Sharon Jones Cole ’68, Ray Jones ’80, Tom Austin ’80

Liza Higgins McSwain ’83, Derrick McSwain, Reggie Stowe ’94, Head of School Mark Reed, Tyler Davis ’08, Ryan Monahan ’08, Jean Roddey Bird ’89

Classmates Margaret Wilkerson Samuels ’89 and Beth Crawford Van Winkle ’89 with the host, Suci Roddey Jackson ’82 SPRING 2015

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Class Notes

CLASS NOTES 1965 REUNION FALL 2015 - The Class of 1965 will celebrate our 50th Class Reunion in the fall.

Stay tuned for more details as plans develop.

1973 Psychologist George “Chip” Hunter served as a mental health coordinator for Doctors Without Borders, working with Ebola patients in Liberia.

See page 21 to learn about his experience.

1975 David Chanter works at a large yacht company in the Philippines as the quality control supervisor of the refitting jobs.

1977 Louis Bledsoe, current Country Day Board chair, was appointed to the NC Superior Court by Governor Pat McCrory and will serve a five-year term on the Business Court in Charlotte. Louis is a partner with the law firm Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson and has specialized in business litigation during his 30-year career.

Erica Portnoy Aronin and her husband, Don, have a tile and stone business based in Atlanta, and stores in Ft. Meyers, Tampa, and Sarasota, Florida. After working with MCI from 1985–2003, Erica took an eight-year “retirement” to raise her daughters, but then came back to her roots (Verizon acquired MCI), and today manages Home Depot and Coca-Cola, selling cloud, security, intelligent networking, and mobility solutions on a global scale. Oldest daughter Kelsey is employed with United Distributors in Atlanta, daughter Carly is a sophomore at the University of Georgia, and daughter Cassidy is a junior in high school.

1978 Clarkie Hicks Brown (Carmel Academy) wrote and published A Dasher Christmas to benefit children living in poverty and with HIV/AIDS in Nairobi, Kenya. All proceeds from book sales will benefit New Life Home Trust and the Renguti School.

Wesley “Chip” Rich and his family recently celebrated his dad’s 85th birthday. Chip works as the vice president of Operations for the YMCA of San Francisco.

1980 REUNION TIME - The Class of 1980 will celebrate our 35th Class Reunion on April 25. More details online.

Eric Law ’76 Has His Hands On Charlotte

F

or close to two decades, Eric Law has served the Charlotte non-profit community as both staff and volunteer and remains a dedicated civic leader in our city. His first development staff position came in 1997, when he left a tenured teaching position at Johnson C. Smith University to work in grantmaking at The Foundation for the Carolinas (TFFC).

“Every grant application that came across my desk brought a new opportunity to learn about a pressing community need and a non-profit program designed to address that need,” Eric explained.

“Helping fund these programs was tremendously rewarding.”

Eric had found his calling in philanthropy and has never looked back. Fast forward 15 years and a plethora of experience with many Charlotte non-profits—Safe Alliance (formerly United Family Services), Right Moves for Youth, and the International House, to name a few— Eric accepted the position of executive director for Hands On Charlotte (HOC), a non-profit volunteer service organization.

Founded in 1991, HOC is a charter member of the Hands On Network, which has grown to 240 affiliates across the U.S. Their mission is to strengthen the 32

PERSPECTIVES

Ozzie Ayscue, Robyn Stacy-Humphries, and their spouses, Kathleen Mahoney and Scott Humphries respectively, attended a football game this past November at the University of Southern California, where Ozzie’s son, David, and Robyn’s son, John, attend school.

community and enrich lives by mobilizing a diverse corps of citizens in direct, volunteer service. Each year, HOC provides 30,000 hours of volunteer time and talent, which equates to more than $600,000.

As HOC approaches its 25th anniversary, Eric and his team must address the challenges of the post-recession economy. Like most non-profits, they realize the need to expand their marketing efforts to better tell their story and articulate the value they add in our community.

HOC also hopes to strengthen its partnerships with for-profit companies in town, which are increasingly devoting more of their resources to corporate philanthropy and volunteerism.

When asked what keeps him motivated and inspired, Eric said, “Never forget the mission, why the organization was established in the first place.” He added, “Contrary to our modern microwave culture, we must remember that efforts to address community needs and improve quality of life require not just hard work, but also time and lots of patience. You have to trust that your work will bear fruit in time.”

Want to get involved? Check out Hands on Charlotte’s extensive list of volunteer opportunities for individuals and corporate teams on their Web site. > handsoncharlotte.org

Class Notes Marion Hanes Rutsch ’77 Knows a Good Book When She Sees (and Reads) It

I

f you’re looking for a good illustrated children’s book, you probably can’t find anyone better suited to make a recommendation than Marion Hanes Rutsch. Her opinion is so highly regarded, in fact, that she was appointed chair of the prestigious 2014 Caldecott Medal award committee.

The Caldecott Medal is presented annually by the Association of Library Service to Children (ALSC) to recognize the most distinguished American picture book for children. You’ve probably seen the metallic gold embossed circle on the cover of books indicating this distinction.

Marion has loved books and creative writing ever since she was a little girl, an affinity encouraged by an older cousin who was a children’s librarian. She fondly remembers her English classes at Country Day with Todd Knight and Margaret Gragg Bissell (then Ms. Gragg), specifically recalling her classmate, Louis Bledsoe, reading William Faulkner aloud as an inflamed Southern pastor.

After graduating from Country Day,

Emmie Keesler Swanson and her husband, Mark, live in Valdez, Alaska. She is the owner of Salty Stitches, LLC.

1981

Marion earned a BA in intermediate education with a concentration in English and then completed her master’s in library science, both at UNC-Chapel Hill. She first joined the ALSC while in graduate school and became increasingly involved with the organization through the years, serving on the Membership committee, the Newberry Medal award committee, and three times on the Caldecott Award committee, including this most recent appointment as chair.

Marion explained, “[Library science] has been an amazing career choice in many ways—ever changing and challenging, flexible for family, yet professional on many levels. It offers an opportunity to be an advocate for children, and, one of my favorite parts, it gives me the chance to connect a child to that ‘just right’ book that might make a difference.”

as a neuro-interventional radiologist for 18 years. He loved the outdoors, was an avid skier, and enjoyed mountain and road biking, hunting, fishing, and working out. When he was no longer able to practice medicine, Sean volunteered at the National Ability Center, the Friends of Animals ranch, and as a mountain host at Park City Mountain Resort. We extend our deepest condolences to Sean’s family.

Marion presented the 2014 Caldecott Medal to Brian Floca, for his book Locomotive, at the ALSC’s annual award banquet.

1984 The Class of 1984 extends our deepest condolences to Henry Pharr for the passing of his father, Henry Pharr II, in January. Henry was a constant presence on our sidelines and a longtime volunteer at Country Day, most recently serving on the Board of Visitors.

Gregg Walker is in his second year of seminary at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, pursuing a Masters in Divinity with an eye toward becoming a chaplain. He works full time while attending seminary nights and weekends.

1982 Pringle Pipkin Franklin, her husband, Sam, and their three sons, ages 21, 19, and 15, moved to Paris for a few years while Sam takes a sabbatical. They are having a grand adventure.

After a five-plus year battle against brain cancer, Sean Muldowney passed away at his home in Park City, Utah, on Sunday, February 8, 2015.

He was surrounded by family, including his wife of 30 years, Henny Heilman Muldowney, and their three children, Katie, Sean Jr., and Graham. Before his diagnosis, Sean worked

1983 The Class of 1983 extends our deepest condolences to our classmates who lost a parent in recent months: Wendy Widener James for the passing of her mother, Marilyn Widener, in July, and Ben Sutker for the passing of his father, Stephen Wolfe Sutker, in August.

Merryman Cassels opened a fabulous shop, The Hive, last summer in downtown Gastonia, North Carolina. Merryman has been instrumental in revitalizing Gastonia’s downtown area, and she would love visits from fellow alums!

Ross Hobson became a partner at Segue Builders, a custom homebuilding firm founded in 1997 that specializes in top shelf renovations and new custom builds.

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Class Notes 1985 REUNION TIME - The Class of 1985 will celebrate our 30th Class Reunion on April 25. More details online.

The Class of 1985 extends our deepest condolences to Marissa Sutker Clemmer for the passing of her dad, Stephen Wolfe Sutker, in August, and Elizabeth Levergood George, for the passing of her mother and former Country Day teacher, Peggy Carter, in January 2015.

1986 The Class of 1986 extends our deepest condolences to Yates Pharr for the passing of his father, Henry Pharr II, in January. Henry was a constant presence on our sidelines and a longtime volunteer at Country Day, most recently serving on the Board of Visitors.

cent months: Ashley Widener for the loss of her mother, Marilyn Widener, in July; Derek Gamble for the passing of his father, Robert Gamble, in October; and Jason Levergood for the loss of his mother, Peggy Carter, in January 2015.

Sally Harris provides therapeutic counseling at Southlake Counseling in Davidson, North Carolina, and will soon expand her practice when her clinic opens an office in Charlotte in 2015.

1988 The Class of 1988 extends our deepest condolences to classmates who lost a parent in re-

Lt. Col. Eric Strumpf spoke at the Class of 2015 Senior Convocation in the fall.

1990 Paige Gunter Robertson’s piece, titled “Meadow Row,” earned second place at the Elder Gallery Juried Show hosted by Art With Heart, an annual art auction held each February in Charlotte benefitting Safe Alliance’s domestic violence services.

Otis Morgan ’93 Rides For a Cure…

2,180 Miles and Counting

F

or the fifth summer in a row, Otis Morgan will ride 545 miles in seven days on a bicycle, from San Francisco to Los Angeles, to raise money for HIV and AIDS research.

He takes a week of vacation to put his body through a painful experience. But Otis won’t be doing it alone. He’ll be joined by more than 2,500 cyclists and 1,000 volunteers, who come together annually for AIDS/LifeCycle, now in its 22nd year.

While Otis claims he “wasn’t exactly athletic” growing up (being our school mascot was his closest activity to a sport), he was always looking for opportunities to volunteer and serve others, and he’s a natural fundraiser (his poinsettia sales surpassed his classmates by over $500 in eleventh grade). These traits, along with his sheer determination and passion for the cause, have helped Otis become one of the biggest fundraisers for AIDS/LifeCycle. He raised $17,000 last year and hopes to raise $20,000 for his upcoming ride.

Otis boosts his fundraising efforts with creative incentives. One year, he tackled a 1.3-mile course climb for every $5,000 raised, 34

PERSPECTIVES

The Class of 1989 extends our deepest condolences to Andrea Duncan for the passing of her mother, Marion Duncan, in October; and Stephen Pharr for the passing of his father, Henry Pharr II, in January. Henry was a constant presence on our sidelines and a longtime volunteer at Country Day, most recently serving on the Board of Visitors.

Charles Marshall continues to writes songs, sing, and play guitar for his band, The Balsa Gliders, a successful side business to his law practice in Raleigh. The band played at Visulite Theater in Charlotte in December with a number of classmates and fellow alums in the audience.

1987 Comedic actor Brian Huskey is now playing Victor on Comedy Central’s series “Another Period,” a send-up of turn-of-the-century Newport, Rhode Island, high society.

1989

REUNION TIME - The Class of 1990 will celebrate our 25th Class Reunion on April 25. More details online.

The Class of 1990 extends our deepest condolences to Tracey Gamble Mahoney for the passing of her father, Robert Gamble, in October.

and he sends more than 300 handmade Valentines to sponsors and supporters each February. He remains dedicated to the mission of AIDS/LifeCycle—he’ll ride until there’s a cure.

Training for the ride is practically a full-time job, yet Otis, who is a nurse, manages the demands around his shifts. He admits that the ride is the hardest but most gratifying thing he does all year. Otis added, “The most rewarding part of the ride is seeing all of our supporters on the sides of the road. Many of them lost a loved one to AIDS and stand outside all day just to say ‘thank you for riding.’ There is a strong sense of community and assurance that I am making a difference in the world, and it feels really good.” > tofighthiv.org/goto/otis

Photos courtesy of George Lester Photography

Class Notes 1991

1996

The Class of 1991 extends our deepest condolences to Hunter Widener for the passing of his mother, Marilyn Widener, in July.

Aaron Cantley founded VALOR Productions, a video production company that works with veterans and their families to document their unique experiences, as they have truly earned their place in history. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Aaron is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom spanning 2004–2006.

1993 Lindsay Conner Carter is thrilled to be back at Country Day working as a Lower School tutor with the Educational Resources Program.

1994

Frances “Frankie” Mae Smith was born on November 21, 2014, to Julie Page Smith and her husband, Josh. Big sister Ada Lee (2) is in love with the new addition (most of the time).

Jack Cooper Gray was born to Ashley Estwanik Gray and Scott Gray on May 16, 2014. Big sisters Ella (5) and Isabel (3) welcome him with lots of love. The family resides in Brussels, Belgium.

Dr. James Raper has been named director of the Wake Forest University Counseling Center.

James has served the UCC in various capacities since 2002 and leads a team of eight mental health professionals in providing psychotherapy and consultation service to the WFU community.

James’s partner, Paige, is assistant principal at The Arts Based School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and they have two great boys, Cranford (9) and Emery (4).

1999

Brandon Chalk and his wife, Kristine, are excited to announce the arrival of their daughter, Sawyer Elizabeth Chalk, on October 12, 2014.

1995

Ransome and Logan Chalk Foose welcomed their second girl, Wesley Elizabeth Foose, on March 20, 2014. Big sister Harper is having a ball with her baby sister.

REUNION TIME - The Class of 1995 will celebrate our 20th Class Reunion on April 25. More details online.

Wes Hutchinson and Hunter Saussy ’96 are doing great with their four boys. Hunter works as a legal consultant and paralegal with The Law Office of Deni C. Pifer. Wes is still with TalentBridge, where he was promoted to IT and engineering recruiting manager and received the 2014 Excellence in Recruiting Award.

After 13 years working at the Meredith College Counseling Center, Jill Triana is leaving to focus solely on her private practice, Capital Counseling.

Chuck Dobson and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed a baby girl named Kaycee Elizabeth Dobson on January 6, 2015.

George McLanahan presented a talk on “Quantitative Easing by the Federal Reserve and the Impact on Fixed Income Portfolios” to Brad Touma’s senior economics elective class this fall. George is vice president and a portfolio manager at Wells Fargo Reinsurance in Charlotte.

Sybil Wornall Godwin and her husband, Bill, welcomed Grace Wilson Godwin into the world on October 8, 2014.

1997

Chaz Yonce and his wife, Lauren, joyfully welcomed their first child, a girl named Zoe Russell, on November 7, 2014. Zoe, a future world traveler and ski mountaineer, currently resides with her parents outside of New York City. Everyone is doing great.

Matthew Phillips was named associate dean for Working Professional Programs at Wake Forest University School of Business last July and now oversees the part-time MBA program designed for working professionals on the Winston-Salem and Charlotte campuses. Matthew joined Wake Forest in 2008 and has taught courses in business law and ethics in the undergraduate and graduate programs.

Janny Hershey McClure and her husband, Sam, joyfully announce the birth of their third child, Finley James McClure. Fin arrived on August 6, 2014, and is getting lots of attention from siblings Wyatt and Harper.

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Class Notes Katie Scarborough graduated from The Wharton School in 2012 and moved back to Charlotte to continue her family’s legacy at Carolina Foods, a business that her grandfather started 80 years ago. On October 11, 2014, she married Mark Caldwell, an alumnus of Davison College from Macon, Georgia.

2001 Annette McCoy graduated from the University of Minnesota in May 2014 with a PhD in comparative and molecular biosciences. She and her husband, Jeff Fox, had a busy fall, welcoming baby Nathan in October, who joined big brother Luke (2), and moving to Illinois in November. Annette joined the faculty at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in January.

Mary Lindsey Warren and Brad Severs were married on July 12, 2014. The wedding party included the bride’s siblings, Anne Warren Williams ’01 and Chris Warren ’96, and classmates Morgan Harrison Everett, Logan Chalk Foose, and Sheldon Ingram Joyce.

2000 REUNION TIME - The Class of 2000 will celebrate our 15th Class Reunion on April 25. More details online.

Brett Gray, senior vice president at DTZ (formerly Cassidy Turley), is one of The Charlotte Business Journal’s 2015 Forty Under 40 honorees.

Katie and Ben Curran have a daughter, named Harper Jones Curran, who is just over a year old (around six months at time of photo).

Chi-Chi Kinard accepted a new position as business accounts apprentice at Verizon Wireless and relocated to Columbia, South Carolina.

Krissie Young Nuckols and her husband, Christopher, welcomed a baby boy, James Wallace Nuckols, in January 2014. The family resides in New York City.

Sarah Ellen Henderson Lacke and her husband, Evan, joyfully announce the birth of their daughter, Emmons Ross Lacke. Emmons arrived on August 19, 2014, and they couldn’t be more in love with their new bundle of joy!

Lauren Morell married Kevin McCrystle. Lauren works at Clarity as an account executive in New York City, where the couple resides.

Jeremy and Elisabeth Moore Uecker are proud to announce the birth of their third daughter, Virginia Spencer Uecker. Virginia was born on May 28, 2014, and is adored by her big sisters, Annie and Sally. The Ueckers live in Waco, Texas, where Jeremy works as an assistant sociology professor at Baylor University.

Kristen O’Neill Roach, her husband, Zach, and daughter, Evelyn Gray (4), welcomed Grant Robert Roach into the world on October 10, 2014.

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PERSPECTIVES

Brittany Brackett Luther and her husband, Derek, welcomed their son, Charlie Stewart Luther, to the world on July 2, 2014. Big brother William (3) loves his new role, and the Luther family enjoys being back in Charlotte.

Ryan Morrison married Kari Enfinger on April 26, 2014, in Pensacola, Florida, and honeymooned in Hawaii. The groom’s brother, Cory Morrison ’05, was the best man in the wedding.

Ryan continues to work as a senior process engineer for Evonik Industries in the Process Technology and Engineering Department.

Class Notes

Geoffrey Sia married Jennifer Flezzani at Calistoga Ranch in Napa, California, on August 9, 2014. The couple spent their honeymoon in the Maldives, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. Geoff’s co-best man was classmate Andrew Briggs. The couple resides in Manhattan.

2002: A group of classmates got together over Thanksgiving holiday: (from left to right) Sarah James Barone, Brantley Anders Templeton (with her son Henry), Sarah Donaldson Eargle, Ingrid Easton Wilson, Sarah Riley Hayes (holding Ingrid’s son Oak), and Anna Rainey Dickson. goes by “Barrett” to honor former classmate, Barrett Gunter, who died tragically in 2000.

2004

Amanda Lemonds Tomlinson, and her husband, Chris, welcomed their daughter, Claire Dorothy Tomlinson, on August 8, 2014.

2002

Ingrid Easton Wilson and her husband, Jonathan, welcomed a son, Oak James Wilson, on August 14, 2014. The family recently moved to Charlotte. Jonathan is a first-year resident at Carolinas Medical Center, and Ingrid is growing her photography business between feedings and diaper changes.

2003

Elizabeth Bailey “Birdie” Carey was born to Chris and Rainey Barnett Carey on May 29, 2014, in Charlotte. Everyone is happy and healthy.

Alden Alexander became engaged to Kevin Costello in September 2014. The two met in 2010 on an intramural softball team while Alden was living in Chicago. In 2013, they made the move to Manhattan. Alden works for CBRE and recently joined the New York Yacht Club.

She continues to sail with 12 Metre crew, KZ-3 (New Zealand) out of Newport, Rhode Island.

Meredith Richter Powell and her husband, Dave, joyfully welcomed twins on October 10, 2014, a son, Thomas Rivers Powell, and a daughter, Caroline Porter Powell. The family resides in New York City.

Annie Smith and Anderson Davis Warlick Jr. were married September 6, 2014, in Charleston.

After working in the event industry in New York and Los Angeles, Annie is now learning about the stationary side of events at Paper Twist in Charlotte.

2005 REUNION TIME - The Class of 2005 will celebrate our 10th Class Reunion on April 25. More details online.

Tony Lazzeroni won the “Best Editor” category in The Washington DC 48 Hour Film Project for his work on “Miss Fortune,” a short film by Crowded Elevator Pictures.

Katherine Wood Melvin and Charles Melvin were thrilled to welcome their daughter, Katherine Barrett Melvin, on July 17, 2014. Baby Katherine

Tim Cobb graduated cum laude from Sewanee: The University of the South with a BA in theater arts. He received the Nicholas Barnet Gilliam Jr. Award for excellence in theater arts. Since his graduation in 2009, Tim has worked as the assistant technical director for Florida Repertory Theatre and most recently joined the Warehouse Theatre in Greenville, South Carolina, as technical director.

SPRING 2015

37

Class Notes Allison Norman ’08 Opens Made With Love Bakery

S

itting in class taking notes as a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill, somewhere between the Cold War and Universalism, Allison Norman dreamed of starting a faith-based transitional employment bakery for unemployed individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. “At first, I laughed at the idea,” Allison admitted, “The only thing I had ever baked were brownies from a box. I knew nothing of business, and I had only ever seen transitional employment fail. But it’s the kind of idea that gets into your heart and sets it on fire.”

Three and a half years later and with a master’s in social work under her belt, Allison is seeing her vision become a reality in the form of Made With Love Bakery (MWLB).

Like many non-profit start-ups, MWLB had very meager beginnings.

When Allison first began baking Communion bread for her church, she didn’t even have a working oven. She had to make the bread in her kitchen and then drive to her pastor’s house with risen, unbaked bread in her backseat. Allison explained, “I would drive as slow as possible and pray the bread didn’t collapse. It’s hard to be a baker without an oven.” True, plus she was going on little sleep between

balancing grad school, an internship, and baking.

With persistence, hard work, and lots of help from friends and strangers, Allison’s small bakery kitchen is evolving into the vocational training program she dreamed about. She has been fortunate to have access to legal and business advice at CUBE, the social innovation incubator at UNC, and support from her church, Love Chapel Hill, which provided a location for her ministry at the Foundry, and now a board of directors. Allison hopes to begin the training program this summer, but she must first raise additional funds to complete the kitchen renovations. Her goal has always been to launch debt-free, so that she can put 100 percent of the profits back into serving the community.

It’s truly been a labor of love, but Allison said her faith and the people she serves provide the inspiration to keep going. “Working with individuals transitioning out of homelessness and hearing each one’s story is an honor and privilege. It can be so discouraging hearing about all the ways the world is broken and messed up, but having those sources of inspiration and encouragement can keep you going.

This is what I’ve been called to do.”

2007

Elizabeth and Brian Conroy welcomed a daughter, Emma Kate Conroy, on February 21, 2014.

2006 Jonathan Mauney and Emily Erdman ’07 were married on July 13, 2013, in Charlotte. Robby Fink and Walker Fuller were groomsmen.

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PERSPECTIVES

Emily Erdman and Jonathan Mauney ’06 were married on July 13, 2013, in Charlotte. The couple lives in New York City.

> madewithlovebakery.org

2008

Katie Premo and David Hottel were married on October 25, 2014, at Greenbrier Farms, a beautiful working family farm in Greenville, South Carolina. Katie and David work and reside in Greenville and are excited to start their lives together.

Class Notes 2009 Matt Cobb graduated cum laude from Kenyon College with a BA in philosophy. He spent a semester studying art history in Italy. After graduation in 2013, he was hired by Omni Montessori School in Charlotte, where he teaches math and humanities to students in grades 7–9 at Omni’s Adolescent Program Land Lab in Waxhaw, North Carolina.

2011: Yale quarterback Morgan Roberts was named Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week multiple times over the 2014 season. A big crowd of alums, parents, and friends cheered him on at the Yale-Harvard game on November 22: (front, l to r) Bella Lovett, Web Anderson, Derek Passenant, Elizabeth Dooley, Catherine Dooley; (middle) Sheila Passenant, Madison Early ’12, Claire Passenant, Sam Poole, Bailey Patrick; (back) Bird Anderson, Ward Showalter, Scott McGinnis, Wake Hamilton, Shep Hardison, Blanton Hamilton, Hooper Hardison ’79, Bob Dooley ’79, Wells Patrick ’12, Bailey Patrick ’79, and Julie Roberts.

Sophie Stokes lives in Key West, Florida, with her husband, Dylan Nigh, and works as a Pre K–3 teacher aid for The Basilica School.

2010 REUNION TIME - The Class of 2010 will celebrate our 5th Class Reunion on April 25. More details online.

Gatesy Hill graduated from Auburn University in May 2014 with a degree in English and minor in human development and family studies. She has since completed a 230-hour yoga teacher training program and accepted a position in advertising with the Charlotte Observer.

2011

2013

Members of the Class of 2011 and their parents gathered over break for Home for the Holidays. See photos on page 31.

Dartmouth College football players, Alex Gakenheimer and Ben Kepley, both produced big results for the Big Green in the 2014 season as a kicker and punter respectively.

Loren Shealy was named NCAA Elite 89 Award winner for field hockey for the third year in a row, and she was awarded the 2015 Wells Fargo Postgraduate Scholarship in January.

2012

2014 Evan Kitchen auditioned for and became a member of The UNC Clef Hangers, the oldest and premier a cappella group at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Williams College junior James Howe was selected as a pre-season USA College Football D-3 All-American.

SHARE YOUR NEWS Submit a Class Note online at charlottecountryday.org/classnote, or contact your Class Agent.

1966 - Millie Dalton Cox - milliedcox@gmail.com 1972 - Dorothy Tull Mothershead - dorothytull@carolina.rr.com 1977 - Mary Lu Kelly Leatherman - marylul@bellsouth.net 1980 - Karen Culbreth Weatherly - kweatherly@charlottenc.gov 1982 - Chip Knox - charles@knoxgroupinc.com 1982 - Wanda Culbreth Townsend - wtownsend@jahlaw.com 1983 - Betsy Downs McIntyre - bmcintyre@lincolnharris.com 1984 - Debbie Ostrow Vitale - dovnc@aol.com 1985 - Nancy Hanes Sasz - nancysasz@icloud.com 1986 - Melissa Gibson Estes - mgibsonestes@carolina.rr.com 1987 - Laurie Goldman Smithwick - laurie@leapdesign.com 1988 - Edwin Peacock - edwin.peacock@nmfn.com 1989 - Melia Northcott Hunt - meliahunt@msn.com 1990 - Mary Beth Tice McIntyre - marybeth@belleproperties.com 1991 - Steven Cole - steven.cole@us.army.mil 1991 - Jamie Harrison - james.r.harrison@bankofamerica.com 1992 - Jenny Hall Robeson - jennyhall1@yahoo.com 1993 - Jaime Morris Pearman - jaimepearman@carolina.rr.com 1994 - Sarah Nichols Hughes - shughes@wlu.edu 1995 - Jill Triana - jtriana76@gmail.com 1996 - Karen Hutchinson Ridout - karen.ridout@charlottecountryday.org

1997 - David Walker - davidbwalker@gmail.com 1997 - Betsy Currie Zarzour - betsyzarzour@gmail.com 1998 - Holly Walker Hunter - ehwhunter@gmail.com 1999 - Logan Chalk Foose - lfoose@ccbhrealtors.com 2000 - Kara Hager - kara.hager@gmail.com 2001 - Amanda Lemonds Tomlinson - amandaltomlinson12@gmail.com 2002 - Brantley Anders Templeton - brantley.templeton@gmail.com 2003 - Blakely Offutt Infante - blakely.offutt@gmail.com Don’t see a Class Agent 2003 - Ivan Mothershead - imothershead@gmail.com for your year? Consider 2004 - Sarah Bell Farber - sarah.b.farber@gmail.com serving as your Class Agent 2005 - Caroline Henderson - henderson.caroline1@gmail.com and helping your classmates 2006 - Sarah Schweppe - sarah.schweppe@wellsfargoadvisors.com share their family updates, 2007 - Carver Morrow - carvermorrow@gmail.com professional awards, exotic 2008 - Anne Howard Dooley - annehowarddooley@gmail.com travels, volunteer work, and other news. For more details, 2009 - Caroline Davis - carolinelenoradavis@gmail.com contact Jonsie Evans, Associate 2010 - Gatesy Hill - shghill@gmail.com Director of Advancement, 2011 - Lindsey Freedman - lfreedman11@gmail.com Alumni Relations, at (704) 2012 - Alli Smith - smithal1@sewanee.edu 943-4544 or jonsie.evans@ 2013 - Caroline Allbert - ceallbert@gmail.com charlottecountryday.org.

2014 - Megan Schlernitzauer - m.schlernitzauer14@gmail.com

SPRING 2015

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Class Notes

Alumni Reunion Weekend April 24–25, 2015 Events for ALL alumni, their families, and current and former faculty and staff. Class Reunion parties for the 0s & 5s.

Reunion Weekend offers a variety of opportunities for you to come back to campus and reconnect with your classmates and former teachers and coaches. Make plans to join us for the whole weekend and get ready to take a fun stroll down memory lane.

Schedule of Events FRIDAY, APRIL 24 Alumni Volunteer & Distinguished Faculty Appreciation Luncheon Campus Tour Varsity Baseball Game SATURDAY, APRIL 25 Alumni Lacrosse Game BBQ & Oyster Roast Alumni Baseball Game Class Reunion Parties: 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010 More details: charlottecountryday.org/reunion FOLLOW to stay updated and SHARE your Reunion Weekend photos and posts using our Reunion Weekend hashtag: #CCDSreunion

Class Reunion Annual Fund Challenge $25,000 for reaching 25% participation by April 25

Participate We’re challenging classes celebrating a reunion this spring to reach 25% participation in the Annual Fund by Alumni Reunion Weekend.

Support our Students and Teachers Your gift will help earn additional funds for professional development, financial aid, technology, and more. Challenge sponsors will donate $1,000 to the Annual Fund for each percentage point of the average percent participation of all seven reunion classes, up to $25,000.

Celebrate with your Class The reunion class with the greatest % increase in alumni participation over last year will get a photo booth at their Class Reunion party. We’ll also recognize the winning class in various school publications and online.

More details: charlottecountryday.org/ reunionchallenge

Last year’s first annual BBQ & Oyster Roast was a huge hit for all ages.

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PERSPECTIVES

BUCSNOTES A ROUND-UP OF FUN FACTS EVERY BUC MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW.

1,000

The number of U.S. marines at Camp Lejeune who received special care packages from the Country Day freshman class prior to deployment.

Assembled on Community Service Day during Spirit Week, the bags included basic necessities and handwritten notes and illustrations from Country Day students of all ages.

150

The minutes per week that Lower School students spend in physical education class building strong, healthy bodies and lifelong habits. Our daily PE program is recognized as a NC Physical Education Demonstration School.

14

FIVE

The number of Big Belly solar recycling stations on Cannon and Bissell campuses.

Powered by the sun, they help to compost waste and reduce our school’s carbon footprint.

Number of Middle School students participating in the first Paths to Peace global experience over spring break. They will serve as delegates at a Model United Nations Conference in Paris and explore European sites significant to understanding peacemaking efforts.

ONE

The number of Country Day parents Nancy Ehringhaus, director of Admissions, ran into on the Great Wall of China during a recent professional trip. She is pictured with Catherine Edwards. Read about the trip on page 6.

Nonprofit Org. US Postage

PAI D

1440 Carmel Road Charlotte, NC 28226-5096 charlottecountryday.org

Charlotte, NC Permit No. 984

Printed on paper containing recycled fiber.

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Triple Word Score! Our second-grade teachers and their clever Scrabble costume were a hit at the 66th annual Halloween Parade and on our Facebook page.